6 Tips to Prepare You for Your First Appointment with A Back Dr in Paramus

1. Do your homework and get informed

Before your first visit to a pain clinic, do your due diligence and get informed about the type of pain specialists you may be needing to find there. If you are wondering what pain clinics are, they are medical facilities that specialize in diagnosing and treating chronic pain. This can include back, hip, leg, knee, shoulder, or neck pain and the conditions that cause them.

Expect to come in contact with various pain specialists, including physical therapists, doctors, nurses, and surgeons. Do not get too concerned at the mentioning of the word surgeon, as many pain doctors manage to help their patients find pain relief using minimally invasive treatment. Surgery will only be suggested if other non-invasive treatment options fail to improve your condition.

2. Be open and honest with your doctor

Typically, first appointments start out with a discussion between you and your doctor. They will want to find out as much as possible about your medical history in order to get to the root cause of the issue. Be prepared to discuss your symptoms, as well as if you have tried any pain management methods until now.

Tell your doctor any piece of information your think may be relevant to your condition, as it can help them better understand what you are experiencing. Make sure to mention if you have been diagnosed by another doctor before and, if you have medical documents such as scans or test results, make sure to bring them along. The doctor can analyze them to see if your condition has changed since then and in what way.

3. Get ready for a physical consultation

As you may already know, the appointment will also require a physical examination, during which the doctor will attempt to diagnose the symptoms. This is necessary so that the specialist can understand the severity of the pain and recommend what steps should be taken next.

The doctor will start with a regular checkup, which will involve measuring your pulse, temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate before moving on to a more detailed examination. If you have questions about the progress of the examination, don’t hesitate to ask your doctor.

Part of the physical consultation will include observing your posture, palpating areas that cause pain, or a more detailed examination of the spine. Your doctor may also ask you to perform certain physical activities, such as squats and rises, to observe how your back reacts.

4. Don’t expect an exact diagnosis after the first visit

Upon getting all the relevant information they need from the physical consultation, the back doctor may be able to put a preliminary diagnosis. However, don’t expect it to always be the case, as certain conditions may require further investigation. If your back doctor thinks they need more information before they can put a proper diagnosis, expect them to prescribe additional tests.

Even if the back doctor is able to communicate a proper diagnosis from the first visit, you may be asked to return for treatment. Usually, the specialist will recommend you start with minimally invasive treatment and see if it manages to improve your condition. If not, other methods of treatment, such as surgery, may be recommended.

5. Address any concerns that you may have

It is normal to have a lot of questions about your condition, especially if it’s your first time experiencing chronic back pain. A good back specialist knows patients want to be informed, so they will not hesitate to answer any questions you may have. If you want to, you can note the questions down and have them prepared before the appointment. This will ensure you get all the clarifications you need and can make informed decisions about your treatment.

Consider asking your doctor questions such as:

• What causes my back to hurt?
• Where can I find out more about my condition?
• Can you explain what treatment options I have?
• Are these symptoms normal for this condition?
• Should I avoid certain activities?
• How can I prevent further complications?

6. Don’t hesitate to bring someone with you

If you are in need of moral support, taking a friend with you is always an option. Although they will not be allowed to assist you during the consultation, knowing there is someone waiting for you outside is always reassuring. In many cases, going to the doctor scares people more than the idea of pain itself, but that’s because they fear the unknown, or in this case, the diagnosis.

Finding a doctor you trust can also help ease off these fears. At Pain Treatment Specialists, we are committed to assisting our patients in receiving adequate treatment and continuing to enjoy a pain-free life. If you are searching for a pain doctor in Paramus, NJ, contact us today and schedule an appointment! We are here to help you get your sciatica treated and continue living a pain-free life. book an appointment at our clinic in Paramus, just off NJ-17, near the Paramus Park Mall and the Garden State Plaza Mall. For more information, we are available for phone general inquiries as well – (855) 874-9670